Police are planning patrols to crack down on such drivers.

Officers say the problem has got worse as the roads become busier and driving becomes more aggressive.

Motorists who are found to be blocking the way for other drivers could be fined up to £2,500.

Bad feeling

Police say motorists who sit in the outside lane, blocking other drivers are not just being thoughtless, but they cause accidents.

"Lane hogging", as it is more commonly known, can cause frustration and in some cases road rage.

Pc Kevin Druce said: "It promotes bad feeling.

"People get frustrated. They want to pass you and in view of the fact they can't, they then close in on you and reduce braking distances.

"A lot of people in that situation end up braking harshly to try and scare the person away from the back of their car, and, at 70 or 80mph, that can be very dangerous."

Motorists questioned

Drivers who are caught flouting lane laws will be issued with fixed penalty fines.

But drivers can also be charged with another offence - inconsiderate driving. For this they could face a fine of £2,500.

The police say when they questioned motorists, lane hogging was one of things that bothered most drivers.

Police will begin pursuing lane hogging motorists in earnest from the beginning of February.

Police say they hope this will result in less aggressive driving.